UEFA Champions League - 2006/2007

[Brother]

With it getting closer to the final, and me watching Real Madrid vs. Arsenal at the moment, I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on the tournament this year, and I wanted to get some discussion going about the teams and the games. I've been watching as a neutral as always, but there have been some good games so far, this one too concidentally. Who's going to win it this year?

[Black Velveteen]

You've forced me to turn it on now! I must say, I think the ref is being as real twat. ARGH!

Anyway, I'd take an easy bet on Liverpool. I saw them play MAN U last weekend, who were playing really awfully, and from the games I've been watching they seem to be one of the few teams which are playing up to par. I mean, CROUCH scored. I find him to be very overrated.

I havent really followed it this year, just briefly looking at some scores in the news or whatever.

This post is a bit messy because I'm trying to concentrate on the game xD

[Brother]

Arsenal definately deserve to be in front. They're outplaying Madrid with their quick passing game. I wouldn't say that Crouch is overrated, I can't stand the guy ever since I saw him playing at Pompey in the old Division One, and even then he was clumsy and useless. He gets a lot of abuse from me and my friends anyway, I've only really heard a few Liverpool fans and a couple of commentators praising him.

I don't think Liverpool are going to do it again this year. They're playing well but they're not the best in the tournament by a long way, even though their best form has been in the CL.

[Koma]

I'm all for Barcelona FC. Rolandinho is one of my idols, just wish Edgar Davids was still there :: pouts::

[Black Velveteen]

God. It's like the Liverpool and Mab U game again, in terms of play. ZOIKLES!

[Zoryan]

SL Benfica the best! Good goal by Luisao, but Liverpool played very badly. They were just defending. I guess it will be a lot harder in Anfield. Anyway, our stadium is just awesome, and the mythic "Inferno da Luz" (The Hell of the Light- our stadium is called Stadium of Light) was reborn, just as when we played Man Utd.

[Brother]

I have no doubt that Liverpool will win the return leg, and progress through to the next round. And you can quote me on that.

[Enemy Airship]

I couldn't say who was going to win it, but I enjoyed every minute of our performance against Real Madrid today. Great stuff. A much needed lift for us troubled fans :). Saying we could get all the way just because Liverpool did is quite presumtive though. I certainly wouldn't bet on it, what with either Chelsea or Barcelona guaranteed to progress to the next round.

[Black Velveteen]

Real Madrid had been playing really well up unto tonight, where as Arsenal had been the opposite. I know I cant have been the only surprised one. Reyes annoyed me ¬¬

[charliepanayi]

It's just like Arsenal really go and win when we've been having such a hard time lately - but the tie is only half done, still a long way to go. I still think Liverpool will go through, but so long as Barcelona dump Chelsea out, I'll be happy (though I think Chelsea will go through there too).

[Zoryan]

I have no doubt that Liverpool will win the return leg, and progress through to the next round. And you can quote me on that.

Well, I think Liverpool will advance as well, it will be very difficult in Anfield, but you could at least let me celebrate a bit.:p Chelsea will pass, I think and maybe Arsenal, they played very well, but with Real, you just never know. What do you call to the goals like the one from juninho against PSV in English? In Portuguese, we call it "frango" (chicken).

[Eddie]

Arsenal went all out last night, played well and deservidly won, even though they had a depleated back line they stuck to their guns. As for Liverpool I can still see them going through as they are good at combacks - once in the group stage last year then in the final again. As for a winner, right now I cant see anyone passing Barca as the winner, Id like to see them pass Chelsea but for english football in general in a world cup year it probably would be nice to see and English team win.

[Black Velveteen]

Chelsea & Barcelona tonight. What does everybody think? I havent really watched them play. It'll be a good game though. :)

[Eddie]

I wont get to see the match but I reckon a score draw...2-2 perhaps, then 2-1 Barca in the game in Spain....I think away goals are going to be crucial here.

[Brother]

3-2 to Chelsea, or maybe 2-1. Either way I reckon Chelsea will edge it. they've proven themselves to be pretty much unbeatable at home this season. I guess the deciding factor will be how weel Ronaldinho plays, and how well Chelsea cope with him.

[Black Velveteen]

Saying that though, yesterday was a huge surprise for anyone. I'm not going to place any bets just because all the games recently have been so bizzaro!

[Koma]

http://www2.arnes.si/~pkolet/BARCELONA/fc%20barca%20grb2.gif

Thats my Vote. Viva La Barca!

Barcelona 2 - Chelesa 0

Edit: Results Of the Game

Barcelona 2 - Chelesa 1

So close but i'm glad we pulled it out.

[Enemy Airship]

I'd persoanally like to see Barca go through, because Spanish teams don't seem to close players down quickly, which is how we won against Real last week. I bet it's a high scoring game at the Nou Camp though. Easily one of the most entertaining fixtures of the year.

[Zoryan]

It'll be either as you say, or a totally boring game, with both teams unable to create a single play in the entire match. But I trust it'll be the 1st, cuz spanish teams don't tend to back off and stay defending all night, like, for instance, some english teams, right?^^

[charliepanayi]

I have no idea what's going to happen in Arsenal v Real Madrid this week, whether it'll be the Arsenal that played in the first leg that turns up or the Arsenal from...well most of their Premiership games lately (i.e. awful). Real's style of play is more suited to Arsenal I guess, but I'm too nervy to make a prediction on it. Barcelona should have enough to hold off Chelsea but again don't hold me to that prediction (I'll not forgive them if they do screw up this one against Chelsea...). I think though Liverpool can get through against Benfica.

[dancech]

i hope chelsea pull it off against barcelona but i hope juve do well i want chelsea v juventus final or juventus v fc barcelona rangers wont make it ne further than they are real madrid will pull it back why does everyone hate chelsea because we have more money than everyone else is it jelousy or just sum1 to pck on saying we bought the league u need money or u cant get new players are the teams we bougt are expensive players from complaining i dont think so

[Zoryan]

Benfica RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE WON AGAIN!
More seriusly now- those were two marvelous goals! Liverpool are now ruing some missed chances I guess, but we played well nonetheless. Now I hope we draw Villarreal, and we might have some chances of winning this year's competition!

[charliepanayi]

Very happy about Arsenal progressing, and kind of funny how they're the last British team left, though there's still a long way to go if we want to try and win the competition this year (I just wonder if we can keep the dismal league form out of European games, though the style of the oppositions' play will suit us more in the CL - can't see us doing a Liverpool and winning the whole thing, as much as I wish it) - I still think Barcelona are the team to beat (and I definitely don't want Arsenal to draw them), but if you want a lively dark horse, look no further than Lyon, who look very good.

[Rey]

I just hope it will be Milan vs Barca in the final... that will be a dream final. Defensive team vs Attacking team is the best to watch.

[dancech]

im not exactly an arsenal fan there not even in my top 20 fav clubs but i hope they do well they showed alot of character against los galacticos but chelsea knocked out cmon mourinho wats going on get flippin shevchenko you dont have to be a rocet scientist to work that out hes the best damn striker in the world for god sake well done juve i hope they win it as they are my second team and have been for about 8 years now so cmon juve



Juventus-Arsenal final


Juventus 3-0 Arsenal

barcelona to be knocked out hopefully and well done benfica you shut up those loudmouth scousers

[charliepanayi]

You won't be getting your Juventus-Arsenal final:

Quarter-final draw:

ARSENAL v Juventus

Lyon v AC Milan

Inter Milan or Ajax v Villarreal

Benfica v Barcelona


Semi-final draw:

ARSENAL or Juventus v Inter Milan/Ajax or Villarreal

Lyon or AC Milan v Benfica or Barcelona

Thoughts? - I can see Juventus (I'm too pessimistic an Arsenal fan really lol), Lyon (going for a shock in that tie), Barcelona and probably Inter in the semis.

[Dark Mandy]

I'm picking Lyon for the win. As they showed against PSV, they're absolutely devastating when they're on form.

[Enemy Airship]

If Arsenal managed to progress to the final through that lot I'd be absolutely amazed. That's a concrete run if I ever saw one. Going by what I saw in the second run, I think this could be Barcelona's year. To outplay Chelsea like they did takes some class.

[Koma]

A.C Milan vs Barcelona in the finals.

[Eddie]

I predict -
Win for Arsenal
Win for Milan
Win for Barca
Win for Inter

Looks like a Barca V Milan final then, be a good final, but I dont think the 1/4s are all that great.

[dancech]

we are going to get a taster of the final on sunday 8.00. Juventus-Milan i remember that of a few years ago and that was an amazing final so im tipping same final, as arsenal just do not have the quality to get past (in my opinion) the best defence in the world.

I am a chelsea fan but i pick Juve as a second team i hope Lyon win as they have a far superior team, they just have to watch out for Kaka and Shevchenko (possibly the best striker in the world) Barca are in my opinion the greatest team in the world but i hope they don't get through.Arsenal Juve will be good Juve win 4-1 on aggreget.

[charliepanayi]

I predict -
Win for Arsenal
Win for Milan
Win for Barca
Win for Inter

Looks like a Barca V Milan final then, be a good final, but I dont think the 1/4s are all that great.

Just to point out, a Barcelona v Milan final is not possible, if they both win the quarter finals they're drawn to face each other in the semis.

[Sephiroth]

I'd like to see a Barcelona V Inter Milan final. It'd be an interesting match.

[dancech]

I just hope it will be Milan vs Barca in the final... that will be a dream final. Defensive team vs Attacking team is the best to watch.


i do not think milan-barca would be that good as milan's defense has been one of the worst in serie a of late and they are only second because there attack is one of the best but defense is sloppy so i would just get bored, juventus barca now we are talking possibly the best defense in the world against the best attack in the world so i will predict (on agg)

juventus 4-1 arsenal

barcelona 3-2 benfica

lyon 2-2 milan (milan through on way goals)

inter beat ajax and score is internazionale 2-1 villareal

and internazionale 0-3 juventus

barcelona 3-3 milan (milan through on pens)
milan 1-2 juventus

[Rey]

Juventus - Arsenal = 4-1?

Now, that's funny.

Also, the reason I stated Milan vs Barca is because of Milan's consistency of getting into the Semi and Finals of the tournament. Juventus, on the other hand, dominated the Italian league most of the time, but did worse than Milan in Champ. League most of the time too.

[charliepanayi]

Except as I have pointed out already a Milan v Barcelona final is not possible, so the argument is a bit pointless (apologies if you knew this and were just justifying your original post).

[Koma]

Did any of you guys see the draw with Barca vs Beni?

[charliepanayi]

I did, amazing how that stayed 0-0 - Barcelona missed a lot of chances (great performance by Benfica's goalkeeper) but Benfica could justifiably say they should have had a penalty too. You'd still favour Barcelona to win at the Nou Camp, but the fact a score draw would send Benfica through muddies the waters a little maybe.

As for Arsenal, wonderful performance by us last night, but the game is only half done and we have to make sure there are no screw ups in Turin next week. All I can ask is, why the hell can't we play like this in the Premiership for much of the season (partially a rhetorical question - I know that the Premiership and Europe are very different in terms of opponents etc). Still don't think we can go on and win it though, my usual pessimism there.

[Axel]

it will be tough...benfica has great players...but puyol, marquez, edmilson and maybe messi can play in nou camp...so i predict a really disputed game and...win the best team!!!

[Koma]

Barcelona has a tough week coming up because they also have to take on Real Madrid. Even though they won their away game against them 3-0 last time Madrid is nothing to laugh at.

Edit: Game Over. This Picture just amuses me to the extreme
http://soccernet-att.espn.go.com/images/jb2/ronaldorob_dd412.jpg

[Woody]

Arsenal are starting to show there true form again, destroying juventus and villa, however the thought of going to turin on wednesday without Fabregas (vieira x2) and eboue is a bit dissapointing, however will give Diaby a big chance to prove himself.

I think Arsenal in the final is realistic, whether or not they can beat barcelona is another question, that is, if barca reach the finals, however if they do i think were in for one of the best games ever seen, two attacking sides on form :D

i think the team is starting to settle, eboue has, as far as im concerned, made the right back role his, even when lauren returns from injury, the biggest emergence has to be fabregas, immensely creative and very good passer of the ball, another player is senderos, he's become so much more consistent since the begginning of the season and is starting to look like campbell in terms of how he defends.

Another thing which makes me happy is that were still playing the most attractive football in the prem despite being 5th, soon to be 4th.

[Enemy Airship]

I'm not sure if Diaby is actually registered to play in the Champions League. I hope he is, because his league form has been quite good so far. I don't know who else would replace Fabregas in midfield, considering we'd be playing 5 there anyway. Eboue is a problem too. He is already a replacement for Lauren, so we might have to draft in one of the younger kids. Eboue has impressed me with his pace and overlapping runs too.

I think Arsenal have surpassed all of my expectations in this competition already. If we did make the final, we'd have to have beaten Real, Juventus, Milan (Probably) and then possibly face Barca in the final. That's not an easy thing to do. If we won the final after taking that run, I would be over the moon. Beating the greatest teams all over Europe like that would certainly be a highlight of my life. It would silence the critics who said we only got through because we had an easy group too.

[Woody]

heh, forgot about that, diaby signed halfway through season so theres no way he can be available to play, however we have enough midfield players to fill all the positions, could even resort to chucking senderos at LB and flamini back in centre midfield alongside gilberto, when campbell returns that is.

As for Eboue being replaced by one of the younger guys, Gilbert was injured also (i think he played 1 or 2 prem games for us), so to the best of my knowledge we have no rightbacks.

also, i would really like to see theo have a game, even if for 20 mins, would be nice.

[dancech]

ok i may have been wrong about the juve-arsenal score but at home juve are as close to unbeatable you can get as they have argubly the best defence in the world i want juve ac milan final as that is possibly that always brings an amzing match

[Enemy Airship]

I thought Real Madrid were virtually unbeatable at home too.

I think it should be a game played behind closed doors to be honest, considering the past reputation that Italian fans have with English clubs. I expect rocks, coins and pigs heads to be thrown at the Arsenal players. That's not a very constructive way to play football.

[Woody]

did you not watch the Arsenal Juve game? on top of that, did you see Juventus' prior games? say, against Werder Bremen.

Im pretty sure you didn't as if you had, you would not want to see juve in the final, they are hugely overrated, especially trezeguet, little hint.. player highlights you see on soccer am doesn't automatically make a player good (showbout and goals etc.), they've even managed to make Raul look decent..

On top of that im pretty sure Milan will be defeated by Lyon, anyone noticed in the last couple of years that Italian teams are surprisingly overrated?

also, i wouldn't be too surprised if an Arsenal fan was to be killed in turin, when Liverpool visited them last year the Juventus 'Elite' went around various pubs looking for Liverpool fans to beat up...which is nice :P

[charliepanayi]

The Liverpool/Juventus history is a lot darker though than that between Arsenal and Juventus, because of the Heysel Disaster, I don't think there'll be as much trouble here. Besides, Juventus as usual will be lucky to fill up the stadium, no wonder they want to move to a smaller place.

I think Arsenal have enough in the tank to go through but the last two seasons in the European Cup have seen some crazy comebacks (Monaco v Real Madrid, Deportivo La Coruna v AC Milan, Liverpool v AC Milan etc) so they'll have to be on guard. I think otherwise Inter and Barcelona can get through, but Lyon can knock Milan out.

As people have pointed out (and of course there are exceptions to this, it's just a roughly general thing), it seems in Europe English teams do well against Italian teams, who do well against Spanish teams, who themselves do well against English teams. There's no real No.1 out of the three, their fortunes tend to fluctuate every season.

[dancech]

did you not watch the Arsenal Juve game? on top of that, did you see Juventus' prior games? say, against Werder Bremen.
Im pretty sure you didn't as if you had, you would not want to see juve in the final, they are hugely overrated, especially trezeguet, little
On top of that im pretty sure Milan will be defeated by Lyon, anyone noticed in the last couple of years that Italian teams are surprisingly overrated?
also, i wouldn't be too surprised if an Arsenal fan was to be killed in turin, when Liverpool visited them last year the Juventus 'Elite' went around various pubs looking for Liverpool fans to beat up...which is nice :P

i have seen all of hose matches live and have you watched serie a live i do and italian football is probably the 2nd most beautiful football around (next to brazillian) i do not watch soccer am as it is a load of shit and every team has hooligans you can't just make out its juventus arsenal have one of the worst reputations in england for hooliganism i was nearly beaten up for carrying a chelsea shirt in a bag by liverpool supporters every team has maniac supporters and trezeguet has scored the 2nd highest amount of goals in serie a

[charliepanayi]

"Arsenal have one of the worst reputations in England for hooliganism"? - I'm sorry, but that statement just leaves me utterly bewildered in how on earth you came up with it...

So we're into the semi-finals now - I think Barcelona will have enough firepower to get past Milan probably (though considering what's happened to Milan the last two seasons in the CL, maybe it's their time for some good fortune), and as for the other semi-final, I'm not so sure. Both Arsenal and Villarreal have reasons to think this may be their year, and I don't really want to have to call it (but then being an Arsenal supporter I'm probably just hedging my bets). If Arsenal can avoid conceding an away goal and win the first leg, I think they'll do it, otherwise they may find it very tough in Spain.

[Sureshot]

"Arsenal have one of the worst reputations in England for hooliganism"? - I'm sorry, but that statement just leaves me utterly bewildered in how on earth you came up with it...
So we're into the semi-finals now - I think Barcelona will have enough firepower to get past Milan probably (though considering what's happened to Milan the last two seasons in the CL, maybe it's their time for some good fortune), and as for the other semi-final, I'm not so sure. Both Arsenal and Villarreal have reasons to think this may be their year, and I don't really want to have to call it (but then being an Arsenal supporter I'm probably just hedging my bets). If Arsenal can avoid conceding an away goal and win the first leg, I think they'll do it, otherwise they may find it very tough in Spain.


First para reply:-
I agree, Millwall, Chelsea, Derby, Man Utd all worse.

Villareall town has a population of 46,000 people.

It's a fairy tale, Also a very good team. Arsenal need Pires & Ljungberg to fire.

[Murderdolls]

Well, the stage is set. Arsenal take on Barca in the final of the Uefa Champions League 2006. This should be one entertaining match! Being an England fan, I'm hoping Arsenal will lift the trophy, but they're really gonna have to show us what they're made of if they are going to be champs.

Thoughts?

[charliepanayi]

Obviously if Arsenal play the way they did against Villarreal on Tuesday night, Barcelona will wipe the floor with them. But I think it will be different in the final, and hopefully Arsenal will have shaken off the nerves that afflicted them in the semi-final first leg. Barcelona must be favourites with the amount of talent they have, but their style of play gives Arsenal a chance at least of beating them. I'll say Barcelona 2-1 for now though.

[Zoryan]

i have seen all of hose matches live and have you watched serie a live i do and italian football is probably the 2nd most beautiful football around (next to brazillian) and trezeguet has scored the 2nd highest amount of goals in serie a


What are u saying??? Italian football is actually pretty???? :O
Thats outrageous!! U can say its competitive, the teams have very good pçayers etc, but that its beautifull????? All the italian teams do is defend!!! If u call that beautifull football than im sure u call the spanish the worse in the world, for instance! Italian football is very competitive, very tricky and very tactic, maybe even a bit technicist due to the quality of the players in serie a. BUT its surely isnt pretty. Its actually very "ugly" if u get my point. Beautifull football is the attacking, technicist style of football, not the cynic defensive one.

Btw, brazillian football is crap. They have great players, thats for sure, but theyre championship is quite bad. Maybe even worse than the portuguese (although better in terms of style than the italian one, in that you have a point).

Getting back to the topic, I think (and hope, for they deserve it) Barcelona will win the final. They play very well, actually teached Milan how to do it even :P

[Garaziel]

I agree with Baka on that one, Italian football may be good, but it isn't pretty at all, they just have a simple tactic that they use all the time, that's why Barça beated them on the semi's... for my own and my pocket happienes (yes, i did a bet... i love Guily!), but anyway, this final is going to be completely action-packed, the two best teams of europe fight for the cup, i would love that Barça would win, but i don't really know who would win, Arsenal is really good too, that's what has me worried :P... nah... not really, thinking about it, it would be good that any of them would win, but preferably Barcelona!

[Brother]

Anyone else watching the UEFA Cup? Thoughts so far? Are Middlesbrough going to produce another amazing comeback?

[Enemy Airship]

Nah, I think they'll lose good and proper here. This reminds me of their first game against Stauea Bucharest. They'll be completely uninspiring in the second half. I hope I'm wrong.

[Brother]

Seville are by far the better footballing side. That ball by Daniel (:cool:) was phenomenal. I just think they've been giving them too much room and freedom to do what they want. Seville are more fluid and better technically but there have been a few sparks of hope. I do hope they win.

[Enemy Airship]

Well, they got hammered. I didn't expect anything else with Gareth Southgate at the back. To be honest they deserved a penalty, but at the end of the game they just completely fell apart.

[charliepanayi]

The scoreline might have been a bit unfair on Middlesbrough, but as already said Sevilla were by far the better team, fully deserving of the victory. I just hope Barcelona don't do the same to Arsenal next week... :(

[Brother]

It's about to start, any predictions? Obviously I'd love for Arsenal to win it. Their form in the competition has been phenomenal compared with the league. I think Barca could edge it, they are the better side technically. It'd be nice for Henry to help Arsenal to the trophy in his last game though, somewhat of a fairytale ending. I'll put my money on Arsenal.

[Sensei Reno]

2-1 to barcelona im a liverpool fan been to nearly every match this season

[Wakka]

this game has started well

come on arsenal do it for the english

[Sensei Reno]

1-0 to arsenal come on

[Brother]

I don't think the referee handled the incident the best that he could have and I feel bad for both Lehmann and Pires. He should have let the goal stand and booked Lehmann instead. As crazy as it sounds, I'm leaving my money on Arsenal. They just seem to have a bit more fighting spirit than Barca. They look as though they want it more.

EDIT: And as I'm typing this Campbell has just scored. :D

[Wakka]

yes 1-0 to the gooners

come on hold out till half time

[Sensei Reno]

ronaldinio and eto'o are only threats

[Brother]

Right you two. Any more spamming and I will warn you both. Four word replies are not acceptable.

That was a brilliant first half. Toure's having a blinder; in fact the whole Arsenal back four are. Almunia made a fantastic save too. I can see a lot more of this in the second half too. Barcelona are going to step it up a gear, I only hope Arsenal don't falter.

[rudra]

Yay, it's on TV here! ESPN2 though :rolleyes:

In the 67th minute here...Awesome save by Valdes just a minute ago... I haven't seen Henry play all that much, but wow, they are just giving him the ball and hoping he can put something together by himself. Ronhaldino's been really quiet, muffed a free kick in perfect scoring position.

[Sensei Reno]

5 minutes can really change life it was 1-0 to arsenal and now 2-1 to barcelona what a match its almost as thrilling as last years champions league. well my money is on barcelona and it was to the beggining i predicted 2-1 so come on barce

[rudra]

OHMAN! Two goals in the last 8 minutes!

Eto'o's was a nifty little give-n-go inside the 18, then keeper deflected a bullet into his own goal... This weather's really starting to play a factor.

2-1 Barcelona.

[Brother]

I feel really bad for Arsenal. They had the heart but they didn't have the legs. They had to work their arses off, Hleb and Ljungberg especially, and it showed at the end. Arsenal's defence were fantastic too. The refereeing was terrible and the first Barca goal was offside. I'm really sick of the European style of Football at the moment, Barca were going down all over the place, wasting time, fouling, pulling, diving. It really disappoints me. The referee was practically a twelfth man for them.

They are the best side in Europe technically, but I'd have had Arsenal win it a hundred times before them. Considering that Arsenal played most of the game with ten men too and one in ten decisions going their way, they were unlucky.

[Wampercycle]

Games like that are always a little depressing. And I agree, the referee was a joke. Henry is just saying it now, in fact. Not the best of games, I didn't think, not great goals either.

[~-~CAMMY~-~]

im a huge arsenal fan and i'm really gutted.

i was nearly crying by the time the final whiste went because arsenal tried so hard and lost two goals right at the end of the game.

[Enemy Airship]

What a massive heartbreak.

There was some cunt in our somewhat empty pub cheering on Barca too. He wasn't wearing a Barca shirt of course, he was wearing a Chelsea shirt. Then he only had the gaul to watch the match in an empty pub too. What a joke.

[Axel]

Congratulations to Barça.I think since the 16's round, I've known that Barça would win, cause no team can compete with their high-technichal football.Next season will be Sporting.:D:D:D

[tidus5950]

its alll about man utd cristiano ronaldo has got the quick feet and the skills but ronaldinho has only got skills not quick feet and barcalona have won the cup congratualtion to them

final score :- barcalona 2 <-> arsneal 1

[Wampercycle]

Ronaldinho hasn't got quick feet? Are you fucking kidding me? Add something relevant, and at least vaguely accurate to the conversation. If it was all about Manchester United they wouldn't have finished last in their group.

After seeing Eto's goal again, I think it was offside, but whatcha gonna do. I was almost a Liverpool fan for 120+ minutes last year, and it was great, but this year with Arsenal was just a bit sad. Maybe next year. I really hope Henry doesn't go to Barcelona; I'm really not a fan after watching that game.

[Black Velveteen]

Aaah atleast Arsenal are somewhat back on par. They've been quite disappointing before the UEFA =/

[Brother]

Ronaldinho hasn't got quick feet? Are you fucking kidding me? Add something relevant, and at least vaguely accurate to the conversation. If it was all about Manchester United they wouldn't have finished last in their group.
After seeing Eto's goal again, I think it was offside, but whatcha gonna do. I was almost a Liverpool fan for 120+ minutes last year, and it was great, but this year with Arsenal was just a bit sad. Maybe next year. I really hope Henry doesn't go to Barcelona; I'm really not a fan after watching that game.

Yeah. My Dad lives in Liverpool and I've been up there so much it's hard not to have a special place in my heart for them. That was the best game I'd ever seen in my life. I've been lucky enough to go to a few at Anfield. Still, I'll never forget my beloved Bradford City.

[charliepanayi]

I still feel horribly gutted about it, in the end it was just too hard to keep it up with 10 men against a team like Barcelona. As people have said in the press, it was Larsson who probably changed the game when he came on. But right now this is just a game I want to forget.

[Rey]

The only thing that bothers me is Ronaldinho's role in the final. He didn't seem to do much through the entire match, I don't know, he seems quiet.

[Enemy Airship]

Ronaldinho got owned by Arsenal, that's why :cool: Also, laugh out loud at the kid that said Barca won because they are a technically gifted side. Arsenal aren't?

Anyway, onto this years competition!

I'm glad to see that Barca struggled against Werder Bremen, but I hope they put one over on Chelsea, just because I think Arsenal have a better chance of beating european teams in the latter rounds of the competition. Obviously Arsenal will qualify with ease :cool:

Liverpool will continue to scrap through the European cup like a loose cannon. They're so unpredictable, I guess that adds to the alure. Glad to see Shevchenko not doing anything either :)

Oh, and who can forget about Inter Milan's laughable run in the champions league. All that firepower going to waste. Poor Nem!

[charliepanayi]

For this year's CL, my money is on Barcelona to retain it or Chelsea to make me utterly miserable by triumphing :(
Kind of funny how Inter Milan, the team who have profited most from all the match-fixing stuff over the summer in Italy, are currently doing atrociously in the CL, they're already in big trouble maybe. And I'm going to follow my brother's lead and have Lyon as a dark horse, they were pretty unlucky not to make the semis last year.

[rudra]

I was able to catch a rare game on TV here last week.

Chelsea/Barcelona.

Barcelona impressed early. Messi is so quick and dangerous, he abused Cole for most of the day. If he'd be a little bigger, I think he would've had a goal.

Chelsea put it together in the second half, though. Drogba was outstanding throughout, not just his sharpshooting goal. Their whole goalkeeper situation is just bizarre, though.

Ronaldhino was disappointing, he did nothing.

[Enemy Airship]

I just did not know who to root for. Barca never impress me when I see them play, and I think Chelsea play some of the most boring football in the premiership. I have grown fond of Drogba though. I think it was because I liked the Ivorians at the world cup, and no matter what, despite all the stick he gets he manages to hold his place down and just score great goals. Still, I hope Chelsea don't win it.

Arsenal to win it this year :D

We can all dream :(!

[the shako one]

as always. go liverpool! well, looking good so far. in the CL not premiership >_<

[Turkleton]

After Liverpool won in Istanbul, I'm a big fan of them :) They did British teams proud! If I'm honest though, even if Chelsea won, I wouldn't be too happy; they're boring me now.

[Enemy Airship]

Of course, Chelsea play some of the dullest football in the premership. Couple that with the fact that their manager is a whiney arsehole who acts like a petulant child, and you've got the makings of a truly reprehensible team. If only the champions league was won by teams that play exciting football though :(!

[charliepanayi]

A big sigh of relief here all round - thankfully Hamburg's win made whatever happened to us in Porto immaterial. And it seems that both Arsenal and Porto soon were quite happy to play for the draw as the match reached its closing stages XD.

So we've finished top, but our list of potential opponents in Round Two has some nasty ones: Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid, Celtic, Roma, PSV and Lille - one of the last two would be nice thanks :) (famous last words...)

[Enemy Airship]

Last year, I was impressed with our performances in the group stages, I was actually confident about going into the next round. This year the pressure to do as well, if not better than last year will eat us up inside. I think we'll do as well as Liverpool did last year. Those golden opportunities only come around once in a lifetime :(

[Zoryan]

bah SL Benfica lost to Manchester... guess I saw it coming, though, they're in outstanding form :p Well besides Sevilla and maybe Parma or Tottenham, can't see anyone in this year's UEFA Cup that can face us... surprises are always waiting to strike though... :p

[Nem]

Oh, and who can forget about Inter Milan's laughable run in the champions league. All that firepower going to waste. Poor Nem!

This simply has to be quoted for 'Well look who qualified after all' posterity :XD:

[Lina]

We don't get too much of this broadcast over here, so it's hard to follow. And I only got into soccer with this past World Cup so I still haven't seen several teams play. Thus, I don't know who I think is most qualified.

But, if I had to say who I'd WANT to win, sorry Nem, I'd pick Milan. :) I've been able to catch several of their games and they've impressed me on many levels.

[charliepanayi]

Milan aren't that great this year, the match-fixing business last summer with the resulting points deductions and some players leaving etc have crippled them somewhat at the moment. Inter are the only Italian team who really have a chance I think. But it does look rather open this year - oh for Arsenal to pull off a minor miracle and go one better this time :(

[Dark Mandy]

Lyon as a dark horse

Lyon seem to be dark horses every year. They looked fantastic in qualifying, but I'm going to bet on them to underachieve again.

[Axel]

Well, they bought Baros to help them in the front, but if the challenge level rises too much, they'll underachieve again...but who knows... :P ...

My bet for this year's CL goes to Inter:although they didn't play brilliant in the Groups Stage, they've been quite impressing in the Serie A by having 15 straight wins...

[charliepanayi]

Well, they bought Baros to help them in the front, but if the challenge level rises too much, they'll underachieve again...but who knows... :P ...

My bet for this year's CL goes to Inter:although they didn't play brilliant in the Groups Stage, they've been quite impressing in the Serie A by having 15 straight wins...

Only as Roma are the only team remotely capable of challenging them what with Milan and Juventus still hampered at the moment!

[Zoryan]

My bet in the Champions League goes for either Chelsea or Arsenal. Chelsea are a very consistent team, very hard to beat. Arsenal play exciting football :D so I want them to win :) Let's see what happens now

[Enemy Airship]

Arsenal will go out to PSV after a dismal 0-0 draw at home in the Emirates. Even if they pull off a miracle and beat them, they'll not progress past the next round. I just hope somebody smashes Chelsea to pieces before they reach the final. Porto doing it would be fantastic.

[charliepanayi]

Wrong Malice! Arsenal will win 2-1 at the Emirates and thus wind up going out on away goals - the way things are going, you can trust that we'll probably go out in the most irritating way possible.

[Enemy Airship]

Actually that's true Charlie. PSV taking the lead of course and our two goals coming in the last ten minutes of normal time.

Then we'll lose someone to a long term injury.

[charliepanayi]

Actually I was more thinking of we go 2-0 up and get our hopes up, and then PSV score in the last five minutes - we shall see whose scenario comes true ;)

[Dark Mandy]

Actually that's true Charlie. PSV taking the lead of course and our two goals coming in the last ten minutes of normal time.

Then we'll lose someone to a long term injury.

Is that a real long-term injury, or a Chelsea long-term injury (i.e. three weeks on the sidelines)?

Speaking of injuries, the return of Gallas brought about the return of the very predictable "we've got our Willy back" chants.

[charliepanayi]

Fuck.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

:(

What an embarrassment.

[Enemy Airship]

I was in London today and I saw so many PSV fans.

To be honest, I never expected us to progress after a dismal group stage. It's just an embarassment to last years achievements! Here's hoping Liverpool knock out Chelsea in the next stage and then beat the Mancs in the last minute of extra time in the final.

[charliepanayi]

Yes, the only thing that could make it worse now is the Mancs or Chelski winning it, which would be too horrific.

Never mind I'm sure in 5-10 years or so we'll manage to embark on another European Cup run!

[Enemy Airship]

The biggest piss-take is that Liverpool beat Barca after we've beaten liverpool 3 times this season. I hate football sometimes! I'm fully resigned to us never having another good champions league run again in my lifetime actually. Either that or we need a season to sink into obscurity before bouncing back next year ;) (A boy can dream).

[charliepanayi]

Yeah, but next season the final is in Moscow - and we all know how terrible we are whenever we play there ;)

[Zoryan]

So, Porto, Lyon, Inter, Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Lille and Celtic were all knocked out... That leaves AC Milan, PSV, Man Utd, Chelsea, Bayern, Roma, Liverpool and Valencia free to run to the Cup. Hmmmm. My bet's on Chelsea or Manchester, they're the teams that are playing the best football out of those 8. Unless Roma or Bayern suddenly make some great matches...which I don't believe. Damn why did PSV shot down Arsenal :( I wanted them to win, and tbh PSV is by far the weakest team of the lot :( But football is full of surprises, we never know what may happen...

[Enemy Airship]

If it's any consolation, Zoryan, I wanted Porto to knock Chelsea out too. I guess Chelsea's 'class' (synonymous with 'dull football') showed through though. Actually, no. Your GK made a howler. I really did want Porto to win though, that would knock the smug grin off of his lousy face.

[charliepanayi]

And I'd like to extend a big thank-you to Radio Five Live for deciding it'd be a bright idea today to at one point play the commentary for every winning goal scored against us over the last fortnight - I'm sure some of the customers at the other end of the shop didn't quite catch my swearing at that point :(